Nightcrawler: A Tor-rid Affair

Ah! It’s that wonderful time of the year again when everyone masquerades as people they are not in hopes of securing treats and goodies.

But enough about Election Day. It’s All Hallow’s Eve!

And not surprisingly, a couple of the Valley’s more notable characters have upped the audio/visual ante on their annual Halloween shindigs.

On Wednesday, Oct. 30, Tor Krautter and his Reverend Tor Band celebrate the 20th installment of their Halloween Jam at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield.

“For the first one, bassist Dan Broad and myself were actually in a cover band called The East Creek Band,” the Rev reveals. “But right from the start it was filled with surprises and pranks, and it was just so much fun that Dan and I have kept the tradition going since we became the Rev. Tor Band in 1996.”

Helping Krautter and company ring in the day of the dead this year are no less than noted New Orleans horn man Charles Neville, Mark Mercier of Max Creek, Todd Mack and Randy Cormier of Whiskey City and Aaron Maxwell of God Street Wine, to name a choice few.

And although the event is billed as a family-friendly affair, Krautter does admit that a “rather regrettable tradition” will also continue involving the most popular seats in the house.

“Years ago, someone came up with the idea of having ‘haunted bathrooms’ guaranteed to scare the shit out of you,” he explains. “So, okay, that someone is me… and it’s damn funny, so, yes, we will be doing it again!”

Tix range from $10-$23 and are available at theberkshiretheatregroup.org.

“We are so very grateful for Tor Krautter’s continued support as he once again brings together all his musician friends to help us ensure that no one in Berkshire County faces a cancer diagnosis alone,” adds Alice Trumbull of the Moments House organization that will benefit from the Tor-rid affair. “We are an all-volunteer cancer support community and rely on the kindness and caring of our community in order to offer free programs and services.”

Meanwhile, for Halloween proper, Oct. 31, MC Force—born Garrick Perry—reports that his Alchemystics have cooked up a Pearl Street Nightclub holiday bash that is truly an entertainment force to be reckoned with.

“We’ve been a part of many Halloween celebrations in Northampton, but I think this is the biggest production so far,” he says of the pairing of The Alchies and fellow reggae-rockers Danny Pease and The Regulators downstairs while Max Creek, Ryan Montbleau and The Big Sway rock the top. “Five great bands, two floors… and better yet, all of the bands involved are intimately connected and have played with each other for years.”

Tix are $10/advance, $13 at the door downstairs; $15/advance, $20 door upstairs; with special $20/advance and $25/door combo passes available for complete access to all performances. For more info or to purchase, kindly point your browser to iheg.com.

Last but not least, if the early sunsets and dropping mercury have you feeling the winter blues already, maybe the latest contest by Modern Drummer magazine will add some color to your world. Living Colour, that is.

According to the publication, Will Calhoun of the seminal ’90s band is getting a new drum kit—and they’d like you to have his old one.

“This Mapex Saturday ‘Lazy Canary’ kit has been around the world and back serving Will, Living Colour and their fans for years,” the contest organizers state. “Now you have the chance to win it.”

Autographed copies of Calhoun’s Life In The World CD, signature drum sticks and more will also be up for grabs. For more information, click on the “Contests” tab at moderdrummer.com.

The deadline to enter is Nov. 30, and winners will be selected on Dec. 11.•